Qualification Purpose Statement: 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Mountain Biking (QCF) Regulation Qualification details Qualification title Qualification No. Level Credit GLHs 1 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Mountain Biking (QCF) 600/6042/8 3 26 134 Operational start date 01/08/2012 Review date 30/09/2016 Registration Period 3 Years Overview Introduction This qualification is solely awarded by 1st4sport Qualifications as the recognised awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual in England and Northern Ireland and by Qualifications Wales in Wales. The technical content for this qualification has been developed in partnership with British Cycling as the technical agency for cycling and sports coach UK (scuk) as the UK s technical agency for sports coaching. The qualification content is derived from the National Occupational Standards for Sports Coaching (2014) and the industry s agreed common content for coaching. It is relevant for learners who aspire to become a mountain biking coach responsible for delivering coaching programmes to a group of participants over a sustained period of time, typically a over a competitive season or year. The qualification sits within a progressive suite of cycling coaching qualifications. The qualification and its components are listed on the Register of Regulated Qualifications; component details are contained in the appendix to this specification. This qualification is equivalent to Level 4 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Further information about the EQF can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/eqf/home_en.htm 1 Guided Learning Hours. GLHs for a specific qualification are defined as the number of hours of largely face-to-face tuition and assessment on-course; this includes all time spent on course-based learning and assessment activities.
Objective Structure This qualification is designed to provide benefit to learners on the basis that it prepares them for employment as a lead, or head, mountain biking coach. A level 3 mountain biking coach is able to plan, deliver and evaluate a mountain biking coaching programme independently prescribing training programmes for individual mountain bike riders, although they may work as part of a larger coaching team. In attending the qualification, learners are introduced to the practical and theoretical aspects of planning, delivering and evaluating a progressive mountain biking coaching programme over a sustained period of time. This qualification consists of eleven mandatory units. Learners must successfully complete all eleven mandatory units to achieve the qualification. Unit title Accreditation no. Level Credit GLHs Understanding the Principles of Safe and Equitable Coaching Practice Understanding the Fundamentals of Coaching Programmes Understanding the Principles of Planning Coaching Programmes Understanding How to Support Participants Lifestyle through Coaching Programmes Analyse mountain biking rider/s performance and set programme goals M/601/2108 2 2 13 T/601/3535 3 3 18 A/601/3536 3 3 18 F/601/3537 3 3 18 T/504/0689 3 2 5 Plan mountain biking coaching programmes K/504/0690 3 2 8 Manage safe and effective mountain biking coaching programmes M/504/0691 3 2 10 Deliver mountain biking coaching programmes T/504/0692 3 3 12 Develop mountain biking riders performance A/504/0693 3 3 21 Monitor and evaluate mountain biking coaching programmes F/504/0694 3 2 6 Develop mountain biking coaching practice J/504/0695 3 1 5
Training and assessment Progression Entry routes for learners Achievement of the qualification is normally through attendance on a course of training and assessment. The assessment specification requires learners to: complete a series of assessed tasks contained within their learner portfolio, provided by 1st4sport. produce and annual plan for a mountain biking coaching programme for a minimum of two riders, one with a cross country MTB focus and one with a downhill MTB focus plan, deliver and evaluate a detailed phase of the annual plan lasting a minimum of eight weeks, focusing on the participant identified for the annual plan demonstrate their ability to coach session(s) in two 20 minute (minimum) practical coaching assessments (either in their workplace or in a simulated environment). Sessions coached should be taken from their detailed phase of the coaching programme The learner portfolio and the practical demonstration are inclusive of all assessment criteria. Successful completion will result in the achievement of the qualification. Prior to registration for the qualification learners are required to: have their identity confirmed be able to communicate effectively in English 2 (this includes listening, speaking, reading and writing). Prior to certification, learners are required to: be at least 18 years of age hold a 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling, or equivalent, or a 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate Coaching in another cycling discipline have completed the British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Coaching Award, or an equivalent programme of training, that covers all of the prerequisite techniques described in the Level 3 Mountain Bike Sport-specific Syllabus hold a current Emergency First Aid Certificate, or equivalent, that involves a minimum of six hours' training. It is recommended that learners hold professional indemnity insurance for all aspects of their coaching practice with cover equivalent to, or greater than, that provided by British Cycling membership. Prior to registration for the qualification learners are recommended to have identified two mountain bike riders aged 16 years or older to coach as part of the evidence gathering for this qualification. One rider should have a cross-country MTB focus and the other a downhill MTB focus. 2 Learners must be able to understand the requirements of, and produce the evidence required for, the qualification and the information within the qualification materials in English without assistance. Where there is demand, this qualification may also be available in Welsh or Irish.
Exit routes for learners: education The qualification will enable successful learners to progress to other industry-relevant qualifications in coaching sport, physical activity, activity leadership, supporting PE in school sport and sports development. Exit routes for learners: employment Market and Support This qualification is the minimum required to seek employment as a coach prescribing training programmes to individual mountain bike riders. Holders of this Certificate may seek employment, paid or unpaid, as a mountain bike coach. Coaches holding this qualification are encouraged to obtain a British Cycling coaching licence. Key employment opportunities for British Cycling licensed coaches include: coaching individuals or at clubs; mountain bike facility coach; national governing body initiatives and coaching activity schemes. Other roles that the learner may consider exploring include Activity Leader, Sports Official or Sports Volunteer. Target Audience: Learners Target audience: centres Target Audience: employers The qualification is designed for those who wish to develop their mountain biking coaching skills further in order to become a coach prescribing training programmes to individual mountain bike riders. Key employment opportunities for British Cycling licensed coaches include: coaching individuals or at clubs; mountain bike facility coach; national governing body initiatives and coaching activity schemes. The qualification is designed to be delivered through a range of centres which include (but is not limited to) National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBS), colleges, training providers and schools. The qualification is designed to support employers in the sport, active leisure and physical activity sector; supporting development pathways of employees and volunteers. Qualified and competent employees and volunteers in this sector supports the professionalisation of the industry, ensures quality assured services and duty of care to stakeholders.
Alternatives: The 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling (QCF) may be more appropriate for less experienced coaches, or those who need to develop their confidence delivering coaching sessions before taking overall responsibility for a coaching group. Learners who do not hold the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Cycling (QCF), or an equivalent qualification, will be required to complete this qualification prior to completing the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Mountain Biking (QCF). 1st4sport also award the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Road and Time Trial Cycling (QCF) and the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Track Cycling (QCF) which may be more appropriate for learners to complete, depending on the nature of their coaching cycling environment. These could also be completed in addition to the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Mountain Biking (QCF). 1st4sport Qualifications also award a number of alternative sport-specific qualifications in Coaching at Level 3. A list of our coaching qualifications can be found at www.1st4sportqualifications.com/our_qualifications Support The qualification is recognised as the industry standard level 3 qualification for mountain bike coaches by the national governing body for cycling in the UK: British Cycling. British Cycling is also the professional body for cycling coaches, providing services and support to those who hold this and other cycling qualifications. It is also recognised by and has the support of a range of employers, including the Cycling Clubs, Bikeability Schemes in England, schools and colleges, as the sole qualification for those looking for a career in mountain bike coaching. The qualification is also endorsed by the lead agency for coaching, sports coach UK, as meeting its UKCC criteria.